In the News.
The following article was authored by Jim Kollaer and originally published on Construction Citizen.Recently, I attended two screenings of the third and newly minted video from the Rational Middle on Immigration, a series of documentaries undertaken by the Rational Middle's media team and the Center for Houston’s Future.The first was held at the… read more
The following article was authored by Ulf Wolf and originally published on Construction Dimensions.Over the last several years, many of AWCI’s member contractors have voiced the concern that they see no clear candidate to hand the reins when the day comes to retire. Also, they wish there were more young aspirants entering our industry—both as crew… read more
The following article was authored by Dan Zulli and originally published in Construction News.John Hinson has been with Marek Brothers Systems since 1984, right out of college. He was transferred to its Dallas office in 1988 and became the division president the following year.But despite being born and raised in east Texas, when it comes to… read more
The following article was authored by Michelle Neundorfer and originally published on Construction Citizen.On April 11, United Tool and Fastener had the privilege of attending and presenting at the 6th annual Texas Construction Career Initiative (TCCI) 2018 High School Construction Career Day at the Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall in San Antonio. More… read more
A group of college students, faculty, and guests spent their spring break this year travelling to the Houston area from Auburn, Alabama to volunteer on work crews repairing homes damaged during Hurricane Harvey last August. The group included seven graduate and undergraduate students and two faculty members from the McWhorter School of Building… read more
The following article was authored by Ileana Najarro and originally published in the Houston Chronicle.The men in hardhats compacting fake stone, pouring concrete and handling other jobs on the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston work site typically are paired up based on experience levels. Thus, a 20-year construction veteran often finds himself working… read more
The fact that President Donald Trump’s administration is cracking down on unauthorized immigrants in the wake of Hurricane Harvey is already making it much harder to rebuild portions of the Gulf Coast. That’s according to an Associated Press report out this week that suggests unauthorized workers are badly needed in the rebuilding effort while… read more
The first two episodes of Rational Middle: Immigration, a new web series discussing the challenges and opportunities of fixing the broken immigration system, are now streaming. Watch below:About Rational Middle:During these tumultuous times, immigration has become a hot-button issue. Histrionics have ruled the day and started a firestorm of debate… read more
Experts in the construction industry met at a luncheon hosted by the American Subcontractors Association Houston Chapter recently to talk about employer responsibility for worker safety on the jobsite. The panel discussion focused largely on safety education and risk assessment, employer liabilities in situations of co-employment, and employer… read more
The Texas Standard, a statewide radio program that airs on NPR stations throughout the state, has been doing an in-depth series on the realities faced by undocumented people who live here. As part of the series, reporter Joy Diaz took a look at the plight of undocumented workers in the construction industry. Stan Marek, CEO of MAREK… read more
Immigrant rights activists, experts in the law, and business leaders gathered Wednesday night in Houston to talk about challenges the region faces following the convergence of a state crackdown on “sanctuary cities,” a devastating hurricane, and the impending end of a federal program that allows young undocumented immigrants a chance at employment… read more
The following article was written by Jim Kollaer and originally published on Construction Citizen.Hallie Busta over at Construction Dive recently published an article entitled Seeing the Light: How Linbeck gives shape to James Turrell’s luminous art in which she interviews the Houston contractor Linbeck about the skill needed to meet the rigorous… read more
MAREK announces the promotion of four leaders to Managing Directors of its Houston commercial construction business. Saied Alavi, George Kissamis, Phil Nevlud and Jorge Rodriguez will serve as the senior management team leading sales and operations for core and tenant drywall, acoustical ceilings, paint, specialty finishes, flooring, fabric panels… read more
The following article was authored by Elizabeth McPherson and originally published on ConstructionCitizen.com. The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) have developed an amazing tool which enables contractors to build safety programs to ensure that their employees remain safe on their jobsites. ABC’s STEP program, which stands for… read more
The following article was originally published on BuildHoustonOnline.Are some of Houston’s leading construction firms crazy or insane in their approaches to attract and train quality entry-level craft workers? Einstein once said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result.S&B Engineers and… read more
The following article authored by Dylan Baddour was originally published in the Houston Chronicle. Reprinted with permission.Jaime Ramos worked picking ornamental ferns in Florida until he got ready to start a family. He took a higher-paying construction job, but then found himself frustrated by a transient labor force that learns as it goes.“… read more
The following article was authored by Chuck Gremillion, Executive Director of the Construction Career Collaborative. There have been occasions during my tenure as C3’s executive director where I have felt as if we were trying to change the world, and in many ways we are – the world of construction. And as most readers of this blog would… read more
The following article was authored by Eleanor Dearman and originally published in the Quorum Report:The House Business & Industry Committee heard a bill on worker misclassification Monday evening. During the meeting, Stan Marek, CEO of Marek Brothers Construction,Inc and the Workers Defense Project will… read more
The following article was authored by Scott Braddock and originally published on Construction Citizen.Leaders in the commercial construction industry in Houston have a lot to be thankful for despite a state and global economy that is struggling in many ways. Houston – along with the rest of Texas – has been hit hard by the downturn in energy but… read more
Through their various trade associations, construction executives from all over Texas are letting state lawmakers know what they think about issues that impact the industry. The Texas Construction Association, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas, and other groups have compiled lists of reforms and proposed changes to state laws… read more